Our Team
Nneka Nnamdi
Founder & Director, Vision & Innovation
A Baltimore native, Nneka N'namdi, lives in Upton with her two sons and is a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Morgan State University. Her studies include initiation in the practice of IFA, Principles of Trauma Informed Care, as well as, a Master's in Management with a specialization in Organizational Leadership. She endeavors to apply a mix of traditional African and modern African American social, economic and spiritual practices as a framework for living. Derivative of her lived experience, Nneka has established several organizations engaged in community development and wellness work, like Fight Blight Bmore and SisterGather.
John Kern
Founder & Director, Policy & Partnerships
Jakia Muhammad graduated with a degree in Food and Nutrition Management, but over the course of her career working with non-profits, she discovered a passion for creating systems and being solutions-oriented.
Jakia brings with her more than 15 years of experience in project management, refining programs and systems that have strengthened operations while creating meaningful impact. Jakia provides operational guidance to enhance systems and processing to ensure Baltimore residents remain in their home.
Jakia enjoys relaxing, browsing the TikTok comment section, getting dressed up for a night out.
Originally from Baltimore, John began his career working in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, where he was a co-founding member of the More Life exchange and the Arts in the One World Conference. Concurrently, he worked with a contemporary arts collective based In Los Angeles which specialized in original performance. After returning to Baltimore he joined Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service where he oversaw the Advance Planning Project, a housing stabilization initiative which focuses on historically redlined communities. He holds Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Philosophy in Aesthetics and Politics from the California Institute of the Arts.
Director, Programs
Amanda Morgan, LCSW-C
Jakia Muhammad
Care Coordinator, Operations
Tenille Patterson
Tenille, is a Baltimore native, graduate of Morgan State University, a CPA (inactive) by trade, and lives in Baltimore with her two sons. She began her career in public accounting before following her commitment to advocacy into the nonprofit sector. Tenille has served in executive leadership roles across workforce development and criminal justice organizations, leading periods of organizational growth, racial equity transformation, strategic planning, and operational change. Tenille's work challenges the idea that finance, compliance, and operations are merely administrative functions. She sees them as opportunities to redistribute power, strengthen trust, and create the conditions for people and communities to thrive. Her approach blends technical expertise with a liberatory lens, helping organizations align their beliefs with how they lead, govern, resource, and care for one another. Whether facilitating strategy sessions, advising executives, or building organizational infrastructure, Tenille is guided by radical honesty, authentic relationships, curiosity, and joy.
Amanda is a liberation-focused social worker-educator and consultant with an ancestral obligation for collective work and responsibility. Born and raised in Baltimore City, she cultivates self-determination and African-centeredness in everything she does. She has 25 years’ experience collectively in social work education, child welfare, homelessness, community engagement, non-profit leadership, and private clinical practice & supervision. Most recently, she served as the Practicum Director for an online MSW program, and as an adjunct professor. She is currently a PhD Candidate in social work at Howard University researching racial identity and anti-racist social work practice. In 2019, she earned a certificate in African-centered social work practice from the National Association of Black Social Workers, and is the former president of the Association of Black Social Workers, Baltimore Legacy chapter. Amanda is a graduate of Western High School, loves herbal tea & swanky office supplies, and adores being an auntie.
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Khyira has a passion for social services, human services, and addressing housing disparities. She specializes in community outreach, connecting individuals to vital resources, and advocating for equitable access to resources, including stable housing. She excels at building relationships, problem-solving, and navigating complex support systems to assist under-resourced communities. Khyira is committed to making a tangible impact by bridging gaps in care and empowering individuals and families.
Tiffany Sanford
Care Coordinator
A proud Baltimore native, Tiffany supports clients through each step of their journey. With deep experience in community engagement, client services, and resource navigation across Baltimore, Tiffany brings a calm, compassionate, and structured approach to guiding homeowners and families through critical moments. She is passionate about helping people feel informed, supported, and empowered. She believes that clear communication, dignity, and trust make all the difference when clients are navigating complex challenges. In her role, she works closely with the team to ensure every client receives seamless guidance and a consistent, caring experience. Tiffany is dedicated to strengthening community connections, improving client clarity, and continuing SOS Fund’s mission of helping Baltimore residents stay secure in their homes and futures.
Virtual Assistant
Khyira Neal
Care Coordinator
Serene Holmes
Care Coordinator
Serene, a New Jersey native and proud mother and grandmother of two, has called Maryland home since 2013. She brings a deep commitment to healing, justice, and community uplift. With experience in housing services, mental health outreach, and client advocacy, she has guided individuals and families through crisis and transition with compassion and dignity. Rooted in both lived experience and a belief in community resilience, Serene approaches her work with intention and purpose. A dedicated advocate and public speaker, she focuses her work on confronting youth injustice and creating supportive spaces where young people can thrive. Her passion for advocacy is shaped not only by her professional experience, but also by her belief that every young person deserves guidance, opportunity, and a voice. She looks forward to furthering her life’s mission—bringing empathy, dedication, and a deep respect for the community and to every person she serves.
Danika Larkin
Danika is a creative problem solver, writer, and strategic communicator, and a tenured Executive Assistant with 10 years of experience. She focuses on mission-based storytelling through creative content strategy, executive collaboration, and program operations. She brings a unique blend of narrative design, analytics, strategy, and cross-functional leadership to organizations seeking to expand visibility, strengthen community relationships, and drive measurable social impact. She also works closely with Whitelock Community Farm. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and hopes to continue publishing essays centering marginalized cultural touchpoints and work in the social impact sector.
SOS Fund Co-Founders
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Tim Chance
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Bree Jones
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John Kern
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Nneka Nnamdi
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Andre Robinson